Author's Note (11/17/20): Despite the email alert some may have received about this story, there is no new content. I recently went through this story and did minor revisions, including dividing chapters that were too long or busy. As a result, the chapter count has increased, but the story has remained largely the same. Apologies for the alerts sent out about this story; unfortunately, they happened automatically as I spaced the existing work over a greater number of chapters.

Her dorm room felt so small now. Quistis sat on the bed and looked at the pile of boxes, unsure how she had fit everything in here before. Xu leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and smiled at her.

"It's good to have you back," she said.

"I suppose."

"It's a tough adjustment. Give it a few days, then you'll feel as if you never left. Oh, and I signed you up for the reintegration program. Just five sessions, the first one tomorrow afternoon."

"Xu, I told you that wasn't necessary."

"Everything else about you tells me it is. Come on, cheer up. You're home!" Xu walked to the closet and pulled out a uniform wrapped in clear plastic. "I had your uniforms cleaned so they would be ready when you arrived. Cid would like to see you at your earliest convenience." She laid the uniform on the bed. "Five minutes. I'll wait outside."

Quistis didn't immediately begin changing. Instead, she unzipped her suitcase and retrieved the large envelope that held a copy of her report. She slid the report out and looked at it, focusing on her name on the cover, remembering the feeling of accomplishment she had when she'd first seen it. Whatever Cid might tell her, whatever changes he might make to her routine, whatever future he might envision for her at Balamb Garden—she realized now how little any of that had to do with her, and how much it had to do with Cid's own insecurities, and his struggle to maintain authority over any SeeD who might dare come into their own.

The mundane job, the reintegration program: it was a classic two-pronged approach to breaking someone down to rebuild them to suit Garden's needs. It was something she might have suggested herself, not that long ago, to remedy a rebellious student. And now here she was, on the other end of that process. She couldn't help but be amused that anyone would consider her rebellious; in fact, her designation as such proved that Cid didn't know her at all, and that he didn't care to, either.

As she fastened her jacket, she caught her reflection in the mirror, and was surprised by what she saw there. She no longer saw a failed instructor, or an insecure girl, or even a high-ranking SeeD. Instead, she saw an accomplished researcher, an Odine Laboratories recruit, and a confident woman on the cusp of making her own way.

And, she vowed, that was the only Quistis Trepe Cid would ever see again.

Cid was seated at his desk, flipping through a binder, when Quistis entered his office. He looked up and smiled at her.

"This is excellent work, Quistis," he said, closing the binder and patting the cover. "I look forward to implementing your curriculum at the beginning of the next school year, provided we can find an instructor."

Quistis bit back her protest and thanked him.

"And excellent work should be rewarded," Cid went on. "Therefore, I have decided to promote you, to an administrative assistant to the registrar."

Quistis looked at him impassively and said nothing. Cid laughed nervously and adjusted his glasses.

"It is customary for an employee to express gratitude for a promotion," he said.

"Yes, it is. But it is also customary for an employer to provide more information on the new position, particularly in a case where the employee did not request a promotion," Quistis answered.

Another nervous laugh. "Indeed, it is. Well, there's not much to say about the new position. You will be providing clerical support to the registrar. Maintaining student records, assisting with enrollment and course planning, those sorts of things." He cleared his throat. "Now, this does not excuse you from your duties as a SeeD. You will need to report to training each day before the start of your shift in the office, and you must meet an annual requirement of completed missions."

"Missions?" Quistis brightened slightly. Maybe Xu had misunderstood the terms of the promotion.

"Very few, very far between. I need to justify your salary. Don't worry, they will be short-term missions, all low-risk and high-profile. Event security, dignitary escort, diplomatic visits. You are only required to complete three of these each year to remain a SeeD in good standing."

"Perhaps I shouldn't complain, but with all due respect, sir, those kinds of missions do not justify my salary, nor do they accurately reflect my capabilities as a Rank 30 SeeD. Unless you are planning on adjusting my rank, as well?"

"Gracious, no. Quistis, I thought you understood by now. You, and your comrades from the Ultimecia mission, are… special cases. You are all in high demand, but as the Balamb Garden headmaster, I cannot risk losing any of you in a ridiculous mission for a low-profile client. You are far too valuable to Garden's operation for that."

"To Garden's financial operation, am I correct?"

Cid glared at her. "Yes," he said, through gritted teeth, "you are correct. You and your friends are celebrities, at least as far as SeeDs go. If Garden can secure lucrative contracts without risking your safety, I see no reason not to do so. It's a sound financial strategy, and keeps Garden running smoothly." He shook his head. "But we've digressed from the point at hand. Miss Trepe, you have been promoted to a new position, and starting tomorrow, you are to report to the registrar's office after training. Do you have any questions directly related to your new orders?"

"No, sir."

"And?"

Quistis stared at him for a few seconds, watching his brows come together and his mouth curve into a frown. Then, she nodded curtly and saluted. "Oh. Yes. Thank you, sir, for the promotion."

"Dismissed."

Quistis walked out of his office, her back straight and her steps sure. She nodded to Xu, seated at the desk outside the office, but did not stop to speak with her. Only when she was in the elevator, headed back to her dorm, did she relax, breaking into a wide grin at the memory of Cid's frown and laughing quietly.

⁂

"Booyaka!" Selphie felled a Grat in one hit, then turned to Quistis with a smug grin. "What do you think of that? Totally unjunctioned, too!"

"Impressive." Quistis took down the second Grat and cut several sacs filled with sleep powder from its corpse. "I take it you've been training more than usual."

"Yeah. There's not much else to do around here, unless Rinnie needs to go to Timber or someone else needs to fly somewhere." She shook bits of monster flesh from her weapon. "At least you've got a regular job to go to. Being on standby is sooo boring!"

"My job's not much more exciting. Yesterday, I had the thrilling task of personalizing and sending out enrollment notices for all students with IDs ending in 4." Quistis slipped the sleep powders into a small satchel at her hip. "To make matters worse, I feel so out of place there. The office is already fully staffed, and the other three women are all civilians from Balamb who seem to know each other well."

"Hey, all good friends start out as perfect strangers! I'll bet once you talk to them some more, you'll all end up as buddies."

"They don't seem to trust me. I've heard them wondering out loud why Cid placed me there. One of them even asked me if I was sent to act as Cid's 'eyes.'"

Selphie laughed. "Wow, talk about paranoid! What did you do?"

"I laughed and told her I wasn't. I don't think she appreciated the laugh."

They interrupted their conversation to engage another pair of Grats. After the battle, Selphie shrugged. "Maybe I'm wrong about you all becoming friends. But, hey, you've still got me and Rinnie, and even Xu! And—" she waggled her eyebrows "—your hunky librarian. You are keeping in touch, right?"

Quistis smiled. "Frequently."

In the three weeks since she'd returned to Garden, she'd spoken to Argider almost daily, and to Retta every weekend. This did not sit well with the reintegration specialist, however, who reported to Xu that Quistis' communication habits were hampering her readjustment process. When confronted by both Xu and the specialist, and threatened with further reintegration sessions, Quistis only grinned. Her conversations with Argider and Retta were the antidote to the barrage of Garden propaganda the specialist was heaping on her—asking her repeatedly to recite the SeeD oath of service, quizzing her on random details of the Garden code, reminding her of her position in and contributions to Balamb Garden—and she was not about to give them up. Her refusal was an understated rebellion, but a rebellion nonetheless, a part of her that Garden had no right or power to control.

When Quistis and Selphie reached the Training Center exit, Xu was waiting there, holding a slip of colored paper.

"You have a message," she said, handing the paper to Quistis. "The number came up as Estharian. A Dr. Mohren. She asked you to call her as soon as possible. Is everything all right?"

Quistis looked at the memo and swallowed hard, trying to keep her nerves in check. "Of course," she said.

"You never mentioned seeing a doctor while in Esthar. Were you ill, were you injured? An injury might explain your odd behavior since you returned."

"No, Dr. Mohren isn't a medical doctor. She's a researcher. I spoke with her regarding blue magic research." Nothing Quistis said was a lie, but she still felt anxious even talking about Dr. Mohren, afraid that somehow, Xu would pry the whole truth from her. She thanked Xu and excused herself, but Xu placed a hand on her shoulder before she could leave.

"Then, what explains it?" Xu asked.

"Explains what?"

"The way you've been acting. More often than not, I catch you with your head in the clouds. You don't take the reintegration program seriously, and Cid told me that you were less than gracious about accepting your promotion. That isn't the Quistis I know. Are you sure you didn't sustain an injury in Esthar? Don't act stoic for my sake."

"I'm fine, Xu. You don't have anything to worry about."

"But I do worry. Even ruling out illness or injury, there's still the possibility of recreational substances. The characteristics of addiction—"

"Oh, it's no drug!" Selphie piped up, craning her neck to read the memo in Quistis' hand.

Xu turned to her. "What are you talking about?"

"Quisty might be hooked on something, but it's no drug!"

Xu sighed and looked at Quistis again. "She's talking about him, isn't she?"

Quistis laughed. "I wouldn't call him an addiction," she said. "Maybe Argider is one of the reasons my head's in the clouds sometimes, but there are others. I've been preoccupied with a matter of research that I was unable to complete in Esthar. In fact, Dr. Mohren should be able to give me the missing information regarding that matter. If you'll excuse me, I need to return her call."

Quistis brushed past Xu and walked toward her dorm. The knot in her stomach seemed to grow tighter with each step, unsure as she was about the nature of Dr. Mohren's call. Although she knew it was most likely a call informing her of her application's acceptance, Quistis couldn't discount less favorable outcomes. She sat down on her bed and dialed Dr. Mohren's number, and tried to ignore the heavy, sticky feeling of monster effluvia drying on her clothes and skin.

The call seemed to take an eternity to connect. After the third ring, someone answered.

"Mohren."

"Hello, Dr. Mohren," Quistis said. "This is Quistis Trepe. I received your message, and I am returning your call."

"Ah, Ms. Trepe!" Dr. Mohren's voice brightened. "I'm so glad to hear from you. I do apologize for the delay, but we have finally processed your application." She paused, and Quistis felt her heart skip a beat. "Congratulations! I am pleased to officially offer you a position as a researcher with Odine Laboratories."

"Oh, my goodness," Quistis stammered. "Thank you!" She felt silly; she should have been prepared for this. But sitting in her small room, disheveled from training and reeking of sweat and blood, feeling the furthest thing from a professional researcher, Dr. Mohren's confirmation felt surreal. Flooded with relief, Quistis could not suppress a girlish giggle.

"I take it you accept," Dr. Mohren said.

"Yes, I do. I accept your offer of employment with Odine Laboratories."

"Great! Now, I'm sure you're aware, there is a process we need to follow. First, you will need to complete and sign all the necessary paperwork, after which we will discuss your start date, your relocation to Esthar, and your enrollment at Esthar University. I could send you the paperwork, and we can complete this process remotely, but I would prefer to do it in person, if possible. Are you able to come to Esthar soon? Say, within the week?"

"Sure. Do you have a specific time in mind?"

"Let's see... I have an early-morning slot available on Friday. 0800 hours. Would that work for you?"

Quistis scribbled down the information on a notepad. "Friday... 0800 hours... That's perfect. I will see you then!"

"I'm looking forward to it, and to welcoming you to the O. Labs family!"

Quistis thanked Dr. Mohren again and hung up the phone. Then, dirty clothes and all, she flopped back onto her bed, smiling until her face hurt and mentally drafting the letter of resignation she'd present to Cid.

⁂

Quistis boarded the lift just beyond the shopping mall, smiling politely at her fellow passengers and adjusting the bulk of her messenger bag. She held the bag on her lap, feeling the edges of a folder stuffed to capacity with paperwork, brochures, and information packets through the canvas. There was so much to do, from submitting her resignation letter to Cid, to enrolling in her first courses at Esthar University, to breaking the news to Xu, but all of that would come later. Right now, she had only one objective, a single destination in mind.

Retta looked up from her work at the sound of the automatic doors. As she recognized Quistis, a grin spread across her face.

"Quistis!" she exclaimed. "This is such a nice surprise. How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you," Quistis said. "And yourself?"

"Oh, same as always. Not that I'm complaining." Retta looked at her watch. "I'm very happy you decided to visit, but I'm sure it's not me you came for. Argider will be here in a little while."

"I came to see both of you. A few days ago, I received some exciting news, and I wanted to share it."

"Exciting news? This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain visit that occurred a few weeks ago? A certain application? A certain lab?"

Quistis nodded.

"Oh, my goodness, I am so happy for you!" Retta ran around the desk to give Quistis a hug. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

"Does this mean I'm released from my gag order?"

Quistis laughed. "Not until I tell Argider myself."

Retta feigned disappointment. "But, after that, who's left to tell?"

"I'm sure you'll find somebody."

"You know me too well, already." She glanced at her watch again. "Oh, when will that man get here? Of all the days to run late!"

Argider was not, in fact, running late. A few minutes before eleven, he walked into the library, enthusiastically discussing a new shipment of books with a patron. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Quistis, his eyes widening, a grin forming on his lips. The patron, aware that he no longer existed in Argider's world, instead waved to Retta before making his way to the shelves.

"Quistis." Argider walked toward her. "It's great to see you! I didn't think Garden would let you get away."

"They didn't," Quistis admitted. "I came here without telling them. I doubt they'll be very pleased with me when I return."

"No kidding." Argider's forehead creased in concern. "Listen, I'm very happy you're here, but if it's at the cost of your job..." He trailed off as Quistis shook her head.

"It's all right," she said. "I won't be working for them much longer, anyway." She pulled the folder from her bag and retrieved her contract with Odine Laboratories. She handed it to Argider and watched as his expression changed from concern to confusion to disbelief.

"Wow," he said, pointing to the contract. "So, you're telling me—"

"A few months ago, while you were attending a conference, two researchers from Odine Laboratories visited me here." Argider leaned forward and began to speak, but she held up her hand and continued. "Dr. Devres and Dr. Mohren. They basically interrogated me on my report, asking me detailed questions, and even asking me to walk them through the experiment. I did so, apparently to their satisfaction, because Dr. Mohren invited me to apply for a position as a researcher with O. Labs. Which I did.

"Dr. Mohren contacted me earlier this week to give me the news. I met with her this morning, and I accepted the offer. I work for O. Labs now. I'm a Level-One Researcher in blue magic research and development."

Argider stared at her for a few seconds, then began to laugh. He looked at the contract again, then back at Quistis. He pulled her close and lifted her off the ground, spinning around once before setting her back down. "That is amazing news! Why didn't you ever tell me they recruited you?"

"I didn't want to say anything until my application was finalized," Quistis said. "Also, after the fuss I made about Odine Laboratories all that time ago, and your promise that you wouldn't make me deal with them directly, I felt a little awkward. But the main reason is that this is a big step, one I needed to take on my own."

"And did you ever! So, when do you start?"

"Next month. Dr. Mohren was gracious enough to allow me time to properly resign from Garden and relocate to Esthar."

Retta leaned forward. "Sorry for butting in," she said, "but will Odine Laboratories be helping with your relocation?"

"No, but they suggested a few properties with whom they have close partnerships." Quistis pulled several brochures from the folder and handed them to Retta.

"I see. Have you decided yet?"

"I haven't had time to look them over."

"Hold off on that for a bit, then. Let me speak to my friend. She should be able to help you find a lovely place within your budget."

"Thank you Retta! I would really appreciate that." Quistis turned back to Argider, who was still staring at her as if she'd just walked out of a dream, and smiled. Retta looked at both of them and sighed.

"Judging from the expression on Argider's face," she said, "I can tell there won't be much work done today. Tell you what, Argider, why don't you and Quistis take a few hours to celebrate? Let the news sink in. I'll cover for you."

Argider stood up straight and tried to adopt a serious demeanor. "I appreciate the thought, Retta, but that isn't necessary. I can work just fine." His gaze drifted back to Quistis and his smile returned. "I am a professional, after all."

"Not today, you aren't. Go on, enjoy yourselves! Just be back before my shift is over, because my offer does not extend to pulling overtime!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

As they exited the library, Argider asked Quistis what she had in mind for celebration. "We have a little more than five hours to ourselves," he said. "What would you like to do first?"

Quistis thought for a moment. "I think… I'd like to pay Wilbur a visit. Can you take me to where he 'works?'"

"Wilbur? You want to visit a cat?"

"Not just any cat. Wilbur was the catalyst for everything that happened, no pun intended. I feel I need to thank him. Without him, I wouldn't have this new job, I wouldn't have taken a sabbatical..." She leaned over and kissed Argider's cheek. "I wouldn't have met you."

"How right you are! In that case, you're not the only one who needs to thank him. I might need to prepare an offering."

"Of what, choice cuts from the butcher?"

"The finest." Argider smiled and cupped Quistis' face in his hands. "You see, it's things like this," he said softly, "unexpected things, beautiful things, things only you would think to do, that make you such a wonderful person. You've got an amazing mind and a heart to match, and I love you for it. I love you for all that you are." He kissed her and she reciprocated enthusiastically, giddy with love and with the freedom of a new beginning.

"I love you, too," she said. She took his hand and they started down the street. "Now, let's go find that cat!"